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Vt. to grant driver's IDs to undocumented residents

Danilo Lopez, 23, a native of Chiapas, Mexico, took part Wednesday in a celebration that was nearly two years in the making. Lopez was part of a large group of migrant farm workers and their supporters cheering the future availability of legal IDs in Vermont for people illegally living in the state.

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Updated: 11:33 AM EDT Jun 6, 2013

Vt. to grant driver's IDs to undocumented residents

Danilo Lopez, 23, a native of Chiapas, Mexico, took part Wednesday in a celebration that was nearly two years in the making. Lopez was part of a large group of migrant farm workers and their supporters cheering the future availability of legal IDs in Vermont for people illegally living in the state.

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Updated: 11:33 AM EDT Jun 6, 2013

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WEBVTT UNSPOKENREALITY OFAGRICULTURE INVERMONT: MANYOF THE WORKERSFOR THE STATE'SDAIRY INDUSTRYAND OTHER FARMSECTORS -- AREIN THE COUNTRYILLEGALLY. ANDNOW THE STATECAN STARTROLLING OUT ACERTAINPRIVILEGE FORTHOSE FARMEMPLOYEES--WHO AREREGARDED ASCRITICAL TOGETTING MILK TOMARKET.NEWSCHANNELFIVE'S JACKTHURSTONREPORTS.DANILO LOPEZ /Migrant FarmWorker: 17:28: Thisis a goodopportunity for mycommunity.)Danilo Lopez tookpart Wednesday ina celebration nearlytwo years in themaking.This group wascheering the futureavailability of legalIDs in Vermont -- forpeople illegally livingin the state.Lopez was in a truckthat was pulled overfor speeding in2011. He wasdetained -- aftertelling the trooper hewas a farm workerfrom Mexico-- withno governmentpermission to be inthe United States.That traffic stop --began a legislativepushending with VermontGovernor PeterShumlin signing alaw granting drivingprivileges toundocumentedresidents. Farmworkers and otherswill be able to getdrivers' IDs -- if theypass all the sametests full citizens do.But those cardswon't be federally-recognized licenses,so holders can't dothings like boardplanes with them.Seth Gardner tellsus he employs fourundocumented farmworkers at his EastMontpelier organicdairy operation. He'sglad thoseemployees will beable to drive-- andenjoy a betterquality of life.Vermont joinsseveral other statesin passing a law likethis. GovernorShumlin said untilfederal immigrationreforms can guidethe nation in how torespond to problemsthat occasionallyarise-- like thattraffic stop involvingthe farmhands--states are on theirown.As for Danilo Lopez-- the irony is, hemay never get toenjoy the veryprivileges hepushed for. The newlaw takes effectJanuary 1st... Butafter losing federalimmigrationappeals, Lopez isscheduled to bedeported-- in earlyJuly. In Montpelier,Jack Thurston, NC5.A VACANT

Vt. to grant driver's IDs to undocumented residents

Danilo Lopez, 23, a native of Chiapas, Mexico, took part Wednesday in a celebration that was nearly two years in the making. Lopez was part of a large group of migrant farm workers and their supporters cheering the future availability of legal IDs in Vermont for people illegally living in the state.